Magnetic suture tab for free standing specimen bag

ABSTRACT

A tissue specimen retrieval bag assembly includes a tissue specimen bag having an open proximal end including a cuff defined therein and extending around a periphery thereof, a closed distal end and a bag brim disposed within the cuff. The bag brim includes a cross section configured to facilitate furling the tissue specimen bag onto itself around the bag brim to approximate a tissue specimen contained within the bag for morcellation. The tissue specimen bag also includes a suture operably disposed within the cuff. The suture includes a cinch tab operably engaged with an end of the suture to facilitate cinching the tissue specimen bag by pulling the suture away from the tissue specimen bag to cinch the tissue specimen bag to secure the tissue specimen therein. The cinch tab includes a magnetic material attracted to a metallic portion of a surgical instrument, wherein introducing the surgical instrument into the operating cavity attracts the cinch tab facilitating location thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/789,563, filed on Feb. 13, 2020, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to tissue specimen retrieval from aninternal body cavity and, more particularly, to specimen retrieval orspecimen containment bags that facilitate retrieval of a tissue specimenfrom an internal body cavity.

Background of Related Art

In minimally-invasive surgical procedures, operations are carried outwithin an internal body cavity through small entrance openings in thebody. The entrance openings may be natural passageways of the body ormay be surgically created, for example, by making a small incision intowhich an access device is inserted.

Minimally-invasive surgical procedures may be used for partial or totalretrieval of a tissue specimen from an internal body cavity. However,the restricted access provided by minimally-invasive openings (naturalpassageways and/or surgically created openings) presents challenges withrespect to maneuverability and visualization. The restricted access alsopresents challenges when the tissue specimen is required to be removed.As such, a tissue specimen that is deemed too large for intact retrievalmay be broken down into a plurality of smaller pieces to facilitateretrieval from the internal body cavity.

During such minimally-invasive surgical procedures, it is common that acyst, tumor, or other affected tissue specimen is required to beremoved. In these and other procedures where cancerous tissue isrequired to be removed, retrieval of the tissue specimen in an enclosedenvironment such as a specimen retrieval bag or containment bag ishighly desirable to inhibit seeding of cancer cells. Thus, with respectto breaking down large tissue specimens for retrieval throughminimally-invasive openings, there is the added challenge of doing sowithin an enclosed environment.

In these instances, a standalone tissue bag may be utilized to containlarge tissue specimens such as a uterus for hysterectomies or fibroidsfor myomectomies. The specimen retrieval bag or containment bagtypically includes a bag brim having a flexible wire support that istransitionable between a first collapsed configuration for insertionthrough an incision or natural body orifice and a second expandedconfiguration for encapsulating tissue specimens. The bag brim, onceexternalized, may be manipulated or rolled to enhance surgical access tothe tissue specimen or “tent” the specimen as needed.

SUMMARY

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that isdescribed which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refersto the portion that is being described which is closer to a user. Theterms “substantially” and “approximately,” as utilized herein, accountfor industry-accepted material, manufacturing, measurement, use, and/orenvironmental tolerances. Further, any or all of the aspects andfeatures described herein, to the extent consistent, may be used inconjunction with any or all of the other aspects and features describedherein.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a tissuespecimen retrieval bag assembly which includes a tissue specimen baghaving an open proximal end including a cuff defined therein andextending around a periphery thereof, a closed distal end and a bag brimdisposed within the cuff. The bag brim includes a cross sectionconfigured to facilitate furling the tissue specimen bag onto itselfaround the bag brim to approximate a tissue specimen contained withinthe bag for morcellation. The tissue specimen bag also includes a sutureoperably disposed within the cuff. The suture includes a cinch taboperably engaged with an end of the suture to facilitate cinching thetissue specimen bag by pulling the suture away from the tissue specimenbag to cinch the tissue specimen bag to secure the tissue specimentherein. The cinch tab includes a magnetic material attracted to ametallic portion of a surgical instrument, wherein introducing thesurgical instrument into the operating cavity attracts the cinch tabfacilitating location thereof.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab is madefrom a magnetic material. In other aspects according to the presentdisclosure, the cinch tab includes a base material having a magneticmaterial deposited thereon. In yet other aspects according to thepresent disclosure, the magnetic material deposited atop the basematerial is in the shape of indicia.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab includes amagnetic material having a second material overmolded thereon. In otheraspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab includes ageometry to facilitate handling thereof.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab includes agrommet defined therein configured to operably engage the suture. Inother aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab isconfigured to slide atop the suture to lock the tissue specimen bag whencinched.

In accordance with additional aspects of the present disclosure is atissue specimen retrieval bag assembly which includes a tissue specimenbag having an open proximal end including a cuff defined therein andextending around a periphery thereof, a closed distal end and a bag brimdisposed within the cuff. The tissue specimen bag also includes a sutureoperably disposed within the cuff. The suture includes a cinch taboperably engaged with an end of the suture to facilitate cinching thetissue specimen bag by pulling the suture away from the tissue specimenbag to cinch the tissue specimen bag to secure the tissue specimentherein. The cinch tab includes a magnetic material attracted to ametallic portion of a surgical instrument, wherein introducing thesurgical instrument into the operating cavity attracts the cinch tabfacilitating location thereof.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab is madefrom a magnetic material. In other aspects according to the presentdisclosure, the cinch tab includes a base material having a magneticmaterial deposited thereon. In yet other aspects according to thepresent disclosure, the magnetic material deposited atop the basematerial is in the shape of indicia.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab includes amagnetic material having a second material overmolded thereon. In otheraspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab includes ageometry to facilitate handling thereof.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab includes agrommet defined therein configured to operably engage the suture. Inother aspects according to the present disclosure, the cinch tab isconfigured to slide atop the suture to lock the tissue specimen bag whencinched.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent in view of the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals identify similar or identical elements.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a tissue specimen bag provided inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective cross sectional view of a proximal end of thetissue specimen bag of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tissue specimen retrieval bag havinga rollable bag brim according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3C are various views of the tissue specimen retrieval bag ofFIG. 1 for use with a tissue specimen “T”;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tissue specimenretrieval bag according an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an internal, schematic view of the tissue specimen retrievalbag of FIG. 4 shown within an operating cavity; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective view of a cinch tab for use with thetissue specimen retrieval bag of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning initially to FIGS. 1A-1B, one embodiment of a standalone tissuespecimen retrieval bag or tissue containment bag assembly is shown andis represent by reference numeral 10. Bag assembly 10 includes a bag 12having a proximal end 14 including an opening 20 defined therein and anenclosed distal end 16. Bag assembly 10 includes bag rim 30 that isconfigured to support bag 12 in such a fashion as to define opening 20when the bag 12 is unfurled or in an open configuration. Opening 20 isof sufficient dimension to receive one or more tissue specimens “T”during a particular surgical procedure. Bag assembly 10 may be made fromnylon and/or polyurethane.

Bag rim 30 is configured to be flexible such that the bag brim 30 iseasily transitionable between a first, collapsed configuration whereinthe bag 12 is furled (as explained below) and a second, expandedconfiguration which allows the bag 12 to be unfurled for receipt of atissue specimen “T”. As such, bag brim 30 may be made from any flexiblematerial that is easily expandable from a collapsed configuration. Bag12 may include any suitable rollable material such as nylon,polyurethane, etc.

Bag brim 30 is configured to seat within an elongated cuff 18 (FIG. 1B)defined in the proximal end of the bag 12. More particularly, bag brim30 is of sufficient dimension to fit within the cuff 18 along an entirelength thereof. Bag brim 30 may include two mating ends that, whenengaged, form a generally circular configuration when opened to supportbag 12 thereon. Bag brim 30 may be generally triangular in shape toinclude three sides 32 a, 32 b and 32 c. Other geometric configurationsor multi-sided arrangements are also envisioned and may be tailored fora particular purpose.

The generally triangular shape of the bag brim 30 allows the bag 12 toroll or furl around itself which, in turn, allows a surgeon to tent(i.e., position) the tissue specimen “T” closer to the proximal end ofthe operating cavity as needed for dissection. More particularly, thegeometry of the sides 32 a, 32 b and 32 c of the bag brim 30 facilitatefurling/unfurling the bag 12 as needed and securing the bag 12 in adesired furled position. Although generally illustrated in the variousembodiments described herein as being rolled or furled inwardly, it iscontemplated that the bag 12 may be rolled either inwardly or outwardlyabout the bag brim 30.

In use, the specimen “T” is placed into the specimen bag 12 throughopening 20. The weight of the specimen “T” causes the specimen “T” tofall to toward the distal end 16 of the bag 12. The proximal end 14 ofthe bag 12 and the circularly-shaped bag brim 30 maintain the proximalend 14 the bag 12 outside the operating cavity (See for example, FIG.2). If the surgeon desires to bring the specimen “T” closer to theproximal end 14 of the bag 12, the surgeon furls the bag 12 around thebag brim 30 in the direction “R”. The triangular shape of the bag brim30 facilitates furling the bag 12 and the brim 30 over on itself which,in turn, allows the surgeon to position the tissue specimen “T” at adesired depth within the surgical cavity depending upon a particularpurpose. The sides 32 a, 32 b and 32 c of the bag brim 30 may include ahigh friction surface to facilitate gripping the bag 12 when furling.

FIG. 2 shows the tissue specimen retrieval bag assembly 10 in usecontaining and supporting tissue specimens “T” within a surgical cavity.More particularly, bag assembly 10 includes a bag brim 30 having a bag12 that depends therefrom for containing a tissue specimen “T”. Bag brim30 is disposed within a cuff (not shown) defined in a proximal end 14 ofthe bag 12. Bag brim 30 allows the bag 12 to roll or furl around itselfwhich, in turn, allows a surgeon to tent (i.e., position) the tissuespecimen “T” closer to the proximal end of the operating cavity asneeded for dissection.

More particularly, and as best shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the geometry of thesides of the bag brim 30 facilitate furling/unfurling the bag 12 asneeded and securing the bag 12 in a desired furled position. As shown inFIG. 3A, the specimen “T” is place into the specimen bag 12 throughopening 20. The weight of the specimen “T” causes the specimen “T” tofall to toward the distal end 16 of the bag 12. The proximal end 14 ofthe bag 12 and the circularly-shaped bag brim 30 maintain the proximalend 14 the bag 12 outside the operating cavity (See FIG. 3C). If thesurgeon desires to bring the specimen “T” closer to the proximal end 14of the bag 12, e.g., for morcellation purposes, the surgeon furls thebag 12 around the bag brim 30 in the direction “R”. The shape of the bagbrim 30 facilitates furling the bag 12 and the brim 30 over on itselfwhich, in turn, allows the surgeon to position the tissue specimen “T”at a desired depth “L” within the surgical cavity depending upon aparticular purpose (See FIG. 3B).

FIGS. 4-6 show another embodiment of tissue specimen retrieval bagassembly 100 for containing and supporting tissue specimens “T” within asurgical cavity. More particularly, bag assembly 100 includes a bag brim130 having a tissue specimen bag 112 that depends therefrom forcontaining a tissue specimen “T”. Bag brim 130 is disposed within a cuff118 defined in a proximal end 114 of the bag 112. Bag brim 130 allowsthe bag 112 to roll or furl around itself which, in turn, allows asurgeon to tent (i.e., position) the tissue specimen “T” closer to theproximal end of the operating cavity as needed, e.g., for inspection,morcellation, dissection, etc.

Cuff 118 of bag assembly 100 is configured to house a suture 128 thereinsuch that, after encapsulation of the tissue specimen “T”, the suture128 may be pulled to cinch the tissue specimen bag 112 to contain thespecimen “T” for extraction and transport. A cinch tab 135 is utilizedto facilitate pulling the suture 128 to cinch the tissue specimen bag112 (FIG. 6). Cinch tab 135 includes a grommet 137 to reinforce theengagement between the suture 128 and the cinch tab 135.

In use and as best shown in FIGS. 4-5, a tissue specimen “T” is capturedand placed within the tissue specimen bag 112 through opening 120 (FIG.4). Additional tissue (not shown) may be added to the tissue specimenbag 112 if needed. Once all of the desired tissue is properly containedwithin the tissue specimen bag 112, the cinch tab 135 is located andthen pulled away from the tissue specimen bag 112 to cinch the proximalend 114 of the tissue specimen bag 112. Continued pulling of the cinchtab 135 away from the tissue specimen bag 112 closes the opening 120 andreadies the tissue specimen bag 112 for exteriorization.

Cinch tab 135 is made from or includes a layer of magnetic material 138to facilitate location of the cinch tab 135 within the operating cavity“OC”. More particularly and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, cinch tab135 includes a layer of magnetic material 138 deposited atop a basematerial 139. As shown, the magnetic material 138 may be deposited atopthe base material 139 as a logo or other identifying indicia. Thegeometry of the magnetic material 138 may be deposited atop the basematerial 139 and dimensioned to facilitate location of the cinch tab 135with the operating cavity “OC”. In embodiments, the entire cinch tab 135may be made from the magnetic material 138 or any part thereof. Inembodiments, an overmold material may be overmolded atop the magneticmaterial 138 to form the cinch tab 135.

In use and as shown in FIG. 5, once all of the desired tissue isproperly contained within the tissue specimen bag 112, the surgeonintroduces a metallic or ferrous instrument “F” that is attracted to themagnetic properties of the cinch tab 135 into the operating cavity toattract, hence locate, the cinch tab 135. In other words, the magneticmaterial 138 of the cinch tab 135 is attracted to the ferrous instrument“F” facilitating the location of the cinch tab 135 within the operatingcavity “OC”. Once the cinch tab 135 is located, it may be pulled awayfrom the tissue specimen bag 112 to cinch the proximal end 114 of thetissue specimen bag 112 to secure the tissue specimen “T”. The tissuespecimen “T” may then be exteriorized utilizing the cinch tab 135 forleverage, e.g., in the case of transvaginal exteriorization where thenatural (or recently excised) opening tends to be narrow.

After the opening 120 is completely closed, the cinch tab 135 may beslid atop the suture 128 and moved toward the tissue specimen bag 112 tolock the cinch tab 135 against the bag 112 to prevent the tissuespecimen bag 112 from re-opening. The grommet 137 may be coated with ahigh friction material to facilitate this purpose. Alternatively, thecinch tab 135 may include a locking slit (not shown) defined thereinsuch that, once fully seated against the tissue specimen bag 112, thesuture 128 can be engaged within the slit to lock the cinch tab 135 inplace atop the suture 128. The cinch tab 135 may include a loop definedtherein (not shown) or geometry (e.g., triangular) configured tofacilitate handling thereof. The loop or geometry may be configured andsized to fit a user's finger to enhance a user's grip and provideadditional leverage for cinching.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various drawings, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can bemade to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of thesame. While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A tissue specimen retrieval bag, comprising: a bagbody including an open end portion and a closed end portion; a length ofmaterial defining first and second end portions, the first end portionof the length of material coupled to the open end portion of the bagbody; and a tab coupled to the second end portion of the length ofmaterial, wherein at least a portion of the tab is magnetic such thatthe tab is configured to attract a metallic portion of a surgicalinstrument to facilitate coupling the tab with the surgical instrument.18. The tissue specimen retrieval bag according to claim 17, wherein thelength of material is a suture.
 19. The tissue specimen retrieval bagaccording to claim 17, wherein the bag body includes a cuff surroundingthe open end portion thereof.
 20. The tissue specimen retrieval bagaccording to claim 19, wherein a portion of the length of materialextends at least partially through the cuff to couple the first endportion of the length of material to the open end portion of the bagbody.
 21. The tissue specimen retrieval bag according to claim 20,wherein the portion of the length of material extends at least partiallythrough the cuff such that pulling the second end portion of the lengthof material cinches the open end portion of the bag body towards aclosed position.
 22. The tissue specimen retrieval bag according toclaim 17, further comprising a bag brim surrounding the open end portionof the bag body.
 23. The tissue specimen retrieval bag according toclaim 22, wherein the bag brim is disposed within a cuff surrounding theopen end portion of the bag body.
 24. The tissue specimen retrieval bagaccording to claim 22, wherein the bag brim defines a cross sectionconfigured to facilitate furling the bag body onto itself around the bagbrim.
 25. The tissue specimen retrieval bag according to claim 17,wherein the tab is made entirely from a magnetic material.
 26. Thespecimen retrieval bag according to claim 17, wherein the tab includes anon-magnetic base having a magnetic material disposed thereon.
 27. Thespecimen retrieval bag according to claim 26, wherein the magneticmaterial disposed on the non-magnetic base is in the shape of indicia.28. The tissue specimen retrieval bag according to claim 17, wherein thetab includes a magnetic base having a non-magnetic material overmoldedthereon.
 29. The tissue specimen retrieval bag according to claim 17,wherein the tab includes a grommet defined therein configured tooperably engage the second end portion of the length of material. 30.The tissue specimen retrieval bag according to claim 17, wherein the tabis configured to slide along at least the second end portion of thelength of material.
 31. A tissue specimen bag, comprising: a bag bodyincluding an open end portion, a closed end portion, and a cuffsurrounding the open end portion of the bag body; a length of materialdefining a first end portion extending at least partially through thecuff and a second end portion extending from the bag body to a free endportion of the length of material, wherein pulling the free end portionof the length of material away from the bag body cinches the open endportion of the bag body towards a closed position; and a tab coupled tothe free end portion of the length of material to facilitate pulling thefree end portion of the length of material, wherein at least a portionof the tab is magnetic such that the tab is configured to attract ametallic portion of a surgical instrument to facilitate coupling the tabwith the surgical instrument.
 32. The tissue specimen retrieval bagaccording to claim 31, wherein the length of material is a suture. 33.The tissue specimen retrieval bag according to claim 31, wherein the tabis made entirely from a magnetic material.
 34. The specimen retrievalbag according to claim 31, wherein the tab includes a non-magnetic basehaving a magnetic material disposed thereon.
 35. The specimen retrievalbag according to claim 34, wherein the magnetic material disposed on thenon-magnetic base is in the shape of indicia.
 36. The tissue specimenretrieval bag according to claim 31, wherein the tab includes a magneticbase having a non-magnetic material overmolded thereon.